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Old 06-03-2002, 08:47 AM   #1
downside
a shadow in the dark...
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 44
Computer Pranks

I thought I would post these "pranks" that were played on me. If you have any other Computer Pranks, please feel free to submit them.

#1: Windows XP Remote Shutdown.
This is a standard feature in the Windows XP (P.E.) that, if used correctly, will pop up a custom message to the user's XP machine and shut it down, without the option to Cancel. It is mostly used by administrators but, everyone can have fun with it.

In a Command Prompt, on a Win XP machine, type the following command: shutdown -i

A GU Interface will appear that will allow you to choose which user (easiest if user is on the same network), and other options like the custom message and the time to wait before shutting down their computer. Be Warned: Once you click OK, there is no going back. The user will have that amount of time to save work, or they'll lose everything (unless backups are made).

I was able to do this to a co-worker here. Some sites (http://www.goesp.com/downloads/Softw...Shutdown-Tool/) say you have to download a program to do this correctly. I was able to work without the program.

#2: Creating an Un-delete-able Folder.
This is an old one, but a good one. It enables you to create a folder, say on the desktop, that cannot be removed by dragging into the recycle bin or Right clicking and choosing Delete. And when you add a risky name to the folder, like "My Porn", you can see how hilarity would ensue.

Using a Command Prompt, navigate to the Desktop directory.
Type MD My Porn, EXCEPT when you get to the space between 'My' and 'Porn', don't type the space bar. Instead, hold down ALT and hit 255 on the numeric keypad. Then, continue to type "Porn". Notice a space appears between the two words. Then just hit the Return key to create the folder.

Now, when the folder gets created on the desktop, it cannot be removed within Windows. They have to use the dos RMDIR to get rid of it.
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Old 06-03-2002, 09:12 AM   #2
dave
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Only two problems with your unremovable folder:

1) the command <b>md My Porn</b> will create two folders, "My" and "Porn". Yes, even with an ALT-255 in there.

2) to get it to make one folder, you need to use quotation marks - <b>md "My Porn"</b> - and even then, the folder can still be removed with a drag to the Recycle Bin.
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Old 06-03-2002, 09:15 AM   #3
downside
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Join Date: May 2002
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You may want to search for further references to this prank online. I have gotten it to work correctly, without quotes and only creating one folder.

Please try again.
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Old 06-03-2002, 09:17 AM   #4
downside
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I will say, however, that I was told this prank will not work on the Windows 2000 OS. For reasons not explained to me. This could be where the problem lies for you.
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Old 06-03-2002, 09:54 AM   #5
Tobiasly
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Jeffersonville, IN (near Louisville)
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Hell, half the registry tweaks at http://registry.winguides.com/ can be used to play pranks.

One of the other platoon leaders at my national guard unit has a Prince Albert. My platoon sergeant at the time had a laptop that was also used by his family while at home.

So I took a picture of my friend's pierced prick, set it as my PSG's wallpaper, and did several registry hacks to prevent him from changing or deleting it.

Needless to say, he was pissed, but fun at other people's expense is the whole point of pranks.
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Old 06-03-2002, 10:00 AM   #6
downside
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That is daring, to say the least. Well done.

I have to agree with the Registry comment. Someone could do a lot of damage through the editor. One time, I pulled I pulled a prank that basically made the mouse movement of UP instead move the cursor left and so one. So when the user moved the mouse, it went every which way.

To top it off, I went into the Registry and removed the program to help the user reconfigure the mouse movement. So, he was screwed until I gave his that portion of his registry back.

Pranks are much funnier when done on a PC. If only there was a virtual "Kick Me" sign.
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Old 06-03-2002, 12:26 PM   #7
SteveDallas
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Philly Burbs, PA
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Well I've not done this.. so it's theoretical... but.... there's a person I work with who enjoys an occasional game of Freecell. I considered the possibility of writing a small application which would display a Blue Screen of Death and print a text message informing the user that the maximum number of freecell games had been exceeded. In order to renew the freecell license a small fee would have to be paid to Microsoft.

This application could then be placed on a file server (assuming that you're the administrator of the file server, which I am), and the default login script could be altered to say that this file should be copied over the freecell binary on a particular person's computer the first time he logs in on or after a particular date, say, April 1.

But I never actually did it. Maybe I'm getting responsible in my old age.
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Old 06-03-2002, 12:50 PM   #8
dave
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I once wrote an application that, when run, would take a screenshot of the user's desktop and place it in an "always on top" window. The end result was, of course, that the computer appeared to have frozen - <b>except</b> that, whenever the mouse was clicked or a key pressed, a message box would pop up saying "Ah ah ah, you didn't say the magic word."

She found it rather humorous after the frustration wore off.

There was also another app that would pop up random error messages at random intervals - between every 10 seconds and 2 minutes. Some of these error messages were legitimate sounding but many were not. Example: "Your A: drive appears to be jammed with peanut butter. Please clean the drive and try again." Many laughs were had, both by the victim and myself.
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Old 03-31-2006, 11:44 AM   #9
original_hxc
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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tobialsy: picture of one of your platoon leaders cock? do i want to ask how? but anyways, these apps you guys are talking about..program them yourselves? thats something i would like to know how to do
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